Column for buildings and other structures.



E. V. JOHNSON. COLUMN FOR BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1908.

Patented July 6, 1909.

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ERNEST V. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COL'UIVIN FOB BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 22, 1908.

Patented July 6, 1909.

Serial No. 434332.

To all 007mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, Enxnsr V. JOHNSON, a

citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cool; and State of .lllinois, have invented a new and useful improvement in Columns for Buildings and other Structures, of which the following is a provided in or bored through the terra cottaspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in supporting columns for buildings and other structures. its object is to provide a supporting column of simple and inexpensive construction which ill be thoroughly tireproof and capable of successfully withstanding without injury or danger of collapse 'Iierce tire and very high heat and without material diminution of its lead carrying capacity and which will have very great strength and crushing resistance for a given radius of gyration, and which may be rapidly and cheaply erected.

My invention consists in the means I have discovered, and which I have demonstrated by my experiments may be employed, for successfully and practically accomplishing this object or result. That is to say, it consists in a supporting column composed of terra cotta blocks reinforced by vertical steel rods and horizontal steel bands, the terra cotta blocks of the outer layer in each horizontal course being furnished with grooves to receive the endless horizontal reinforcing bands, and the vertical reinforcing rods being disposed at intervals between the terra cotta blocks of the inner and outer layers, the upright faces of one set of terra cotta blocks, preferably the inner set, being furnished with vertical channels to receive the upright rcinfmicing rods, and the space between the inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks being filled with cement grout 3 ing, preferably applied in a liquid form by pouring, so as to completely fill the upright space between the inner and outer layers of terra cotta bloclts and to cause the upright reinforcing rods to be completely embedded and thoroughly anchored throughcmt their whole length and surface, through this cement grouting, to the terra cotta blocks composing the column; the reinforcing horizontal bands being also completely embedded and thoroughly anchored throughout their whole extent and surface in the cement mortar in which the horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks are laid.

The invention further consists in providing the inner set or layer of terra cotta blocks in the column with curved or truncated inner ends or faces to form a central opening or passage, preferably from three to four inches in diameter to receive conduits, piping and wiring for the building, the same being led out through horizontal pass. or openings bloclts composing the column. By this horizontally and vertically reinforced terra cotta block construction of column, 1 produce a supporting column which is thoroughly tires proof, capable of withstanding very high heat and fierce lire without danger of collapse or material weakening its load supporting capacity, while at the same time it is capable of being very rapidly and quickly constructed, and at a comparatively low cost.

in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of a reinforced terra cotta blocl; column embodying my invention. Pig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 22 of l ig. l, the cement mortar between the horizontal courses not being shown in order to show a plan or face view of the inner and outer sets or layers of terra cotta blocks in one coin )lcte horizontal course. H is a vertical section on line 33 of Fig. 2, the cement mortar between the upright l joints of contiguous terra cotta bloclcs being omitted in order to show the upright faces of the alternate terra cotta blocks. Fig. t is an enlarged vertical section of one of the terra cotta blocks of the outcrsct or layer.

My improved reinforced terra cotta block supporting column A is furnished with an upright hollow passage A at the center for receiving and accommodating conduits, electric or other wires and pipes X, and also with horizontal passages or holes (I through which such conduits, wires or pipes may be led out.

My improved reinforced tcrra, cottav column A is preferably of circular form in cross section, although it may be of any desired shape or outline. it is composed of an inner set or layer of terra cotta or burnt clay blocks B, an outer set or layer of burnt clay or terra cotta blocks l) with an intermediate filling t of cement grouting, and cement mortar (7 between the separate horizontal courses of the blocks B 1), and cement mortar C between the adjacent up right faces of the terra cotta blocks B D and upright steel reinforcing rods 1*], disposed at regular intervals between the inner terra cotta blocks B and the outer terra cotta blocks D, and endless steel reinforcing bands F between adjacent horizontal courses of the outer ter "a cotta blocks D. T he inner terra cotta blocks B are furnished on their outer faces with upright channels or grooves to receive the upright steel reinforcing rods E, and the outer layer of terra cotta blocks D are furnished on their upper face with channels or grooves d to receive the horizontal steel reinforcing bands l which are made endless by electrically welding the meeting ends of each band together. Lhe upright reinforcing rods E may be of any desired shape in cross section, but 1 prefer to make them round.

horizontal reinforcing bands i may likewise be of any do ired shape in cross section, but I prefer that the same should also be round or circular.

The terra cotta blocks B of successive horizontal courses (L laid to brcal; joints with each other as indicated b t the dottec lines I) in Fig. 2, and the terra cotta blocks D of the outer layer are likewise laid breal' ing joints with each ot er, as indicated by the dotted lines al in i 4. And the up right cement mortar joints C of the inner terra cotta blocks B are preferably arranged to break oints with the upright cement mortar joints C of the outer layer of terra cotta blocks D in each horizontal course a of the column.

/Vhile I prefer to construct my reinforced terra cotta supporting column of two layers of terra cotta blocks B, l), one or more intermediate layers of terra cotta blocks may be employed if desired, between the inner and outer layers, B, D.

I claim 1. A reinforced terra cotta block supporting column for buildings or other structures, comp "ising inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks, laid in successive courses, one layer surrounding the other, with a space for grouting between, upright steel reinforcing rods between said layers and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchored, and cement mortar between the horizontal and upright oints of adjacent terra cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reinforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between adjacent horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer of blocks, said column being of relatively small diameter in respect to its height and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and withina relatively small area and cooperating with the other parts to give the column great The endless seeped) strength for a given radius of gyration said column being substantially solid. substantially as specified.

2. A reinforced terra cotta block supporting column for buildings or other structures, comprising inner and outer layers of terra cotta bloclrs laid in successive courses, one layer surrounding the other with a space for grouting between, upright steel reinforcing rods between said layers and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchor-cc, and cement mortar between the horizontal and upright joints of adjacent tori-a cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reinforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between. adjacent horizontal courses of terracotta blocks of the surrounding layer of blocks, the terra cotta blocks of one of said layers having upright channels or grooves to receive said upright reinforcing rods, said column being of rela ively small diameter in respect to its height and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and within a relatively small and cooperating with the other parts to the column great strength for a given radius of gyration, said column being substantially solid, substantially as specified.

3. A reinforced terra cotta block supporting column for buildings or other structures, comprising inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks, laid in successive courses, one layer surrounding the other with a space for grouting between, upright steel reinforcing rods between said layers and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchored and cement mortar be tween the horizontal and upright joints of adjacent terra cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reinforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between adj acent horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer of blocks, the terra cotta blocks of one of said layers having upright channels or grooves to receive said upright reinforcing rods, and the terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer having channels or grooves to receive said horizontal reinforcing bands, said column being of relatively small diameter in respect to its height and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and within a relatively small area and cooperating with the other parts to give the column great strength for a given radius of gyration said column being substantially solid, substantially as specified.

i. A reinforced terra cotta block supporting column for buildings or other structures, comprising inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks, laid in successive courses, one layer surrounding the other with a space for grouting between, upright steel reinforcing rods between said layers and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchored and cement mortar between the horizontal and upright joints of adjacent terra cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reinforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between adjacent horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer of blocks, the terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer having channels to receive said horizontal reinforcing bands, said column being of relatively small diameter in respect to its height and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and within a relatively small area and cooperating with the other parts to give the column great strength for a given radius of gyration said column being substantially solid substantially as specified.

5. A reinforced terra cotta block supporting column for buildings or other structures, comprising inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks laid in succzssive courses, one layer surrounding the other, with a space 'for groutii'ig between, upright steel reii'i'forcing rods between said layers, and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchored and cement mortar between the horizontal and u 'iright joints of adjacent terra cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reinforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between adjacent horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer of blocks, said column being substantially solid and having an upright central opening or passage to receive and accommodate conduits, wiring or piping, substantially as speci'lied.

G. A reinforced terra cotta blocl; supporting column for buildings or other structures,

comprising inner and outer layers of terra cotta blocks laid in successive courses, one layer surrounding the other, with a space for ,grouting between, upright steel reinforcing rods between said layers and horizontal steel reinforcing bands between the successive courses oi terra cotta blocks of the surround ing layer, cement grouting filling the space between the inner and outer layers and in which said upright reinforcing rods are embedded and anchored and cement mortar between the horizontal and upright joints of adjacent terra cotta blocks in both layers, said horizontal steel reii'iforcing bands being embedded in the cement mortar between adjacent horizontal courses of terra cotta blocks, of the surrounding layer of blocks, the terra cotta blocks of one of said layers having upright channels or grooves to receive said upright reinforcing rods, and the terra cotta blocks of the surrounding layer having chan nels or grooves to receive said horizontal reinforcing bands, said column being substantially solid and having an upright central opening or passage to receive and accommo date conduits, wiring or piping, said column being of relatively small diameter in respect to its height and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and within a relatively small area and cooperating with the other parts to give the column great strength for a given radius of gyration, substrntially as specified.

7. A fireproof terra cotta block supporting column composed of terra cotta blocks furnished with upright reinforcing rods and a series of horizontal reinforcing bands, said upright rods and horizontal bands being embedded in the cement of the upright and horizontal joints respectively between contiguous terra cotta blocks of the column, said column being of relatively small diameter in respect to its heigl'it and said upright reinforcing rods being all near together and within a relatively small area and coi'iperating with the other parts to give the column great strength for a given radius of gyration. said column being substantially solid, substan tially as specified.

ERNEST V. JOHNSON.

\Vitnesses:

II. M. M'UNDAY, PEARL ABRAMS. 

